Jason Hindley’s subject matter is as mundane as it comes. An ashtray with a still-burning cigarette, an umbrella leaning against the wall, a fish finger sandwich. These items are so common in our everyday lives that we tend to just walk on by. But Jason allows us to see them differently; he has an eye for finding something extraordinary in the ordinary.

Many photographers are concerned with epic landscapes and stunning faces. But with Jason’s droll flair, a tray of slimy fish guts can become as beautiful as a painterly masterpiece, and the lighting of a vodka bottle in a plastic bag makes it stand out far ahead of its usual austerity. These items aren’t meant to be interesting, but suddenly they are. It’s an absurdly wonderful feat.

It’s not just typically lacklustre still lifes that benefit from his eye-opening skills either, but streetscapes and other images taken on location around the world. He brings the same wit and confidence to these photographs, and whether it be sodden leaves on a road or a clinical airport lounge, the end result is always vibrant beyond the worth of the matter. This is achieved to such an affect that you may find yourself looking at the insignificant details of your own life in a completely different light.

His photography is terrifically understated, with the odd touch of a wickedly dark humour that is in turn, hilariously unexpected. A greasy burger against a retro carpet or some naughty playing cards set out to play are just two among many of his mirthful compositions. And his body of work is so immense and entertaining that you’ll find yourself hard pressed to stop browsing through the images once you start.

We spoke to Jason about his keen eye, not ignoring the ordinary, balancing location with studio shoots and his love of the light in Japan. He also offers some of his most valuable secrets to producing unique and fascinating photography out of the mundane…

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